Part two of Luke’s Gospel account is called the Acts of the Apostles. But really it would be better named The Acts of Jesus.
We see this in the scripture for this Sunday, where Peter and John encounter a paralysed man in the temple. Peter is clear that it is in Jesus’ name and with Jesus’ power that this man’s feet, ankles and legs are so strengthened that he is able not only to walk but also to jump in praise of God.
Perhaps the book could also be named – Acts of the Holy Spirit, seeing that it begins with waiting for the Holy Spirit, and receiving the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and the remaining chapters are about the blowing of the Spirit near and far.
We are caught up in this drama of God. We too are agents of Jesus, his Father, and their Spirit. With the Spirit we can be bolder than what we often are. We can mention the name of Jesus, and offer to pray to Jesus for people. With the lens of the Holy Spirit, we too can see more of the ongoing Pentecost, right here in chilly Canberra.